Tinubu: His death, loss of a national treasure

National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday described the death of literary giant, Professor Chinua Achebe, as the loss of yet another national treasure.

He said Achebe died without seeing his dream of a better-governed, fully democratic and united Nigeria fulfilled.

Tinubu, in a statement by his special media adviser, Sunday Dare, said: “Achebe’s words were like the arrows of God penetrating the fortresses of our leaders and striking their hearts to do good; unfortunately not many harkened and that is why we remain stuck as a people and a country.”

He said, notwithstanding Achebe’s exploits on the literary stage and his world acclaimed status, he had one regret, which is the failure of successive leadership to birth a new country and liberate Nigerians from abject poverty and want.

The former Lagos State governor said: “Chinua Achebe lived an exemplary life of sacrifice and excellence. He was a critique-general who through his writings offered lucid suggestions and advice on how Nigeria’s problems can be tackled.

“We are able to glean from his writings a burning desire for change and a crushing devotion to the emancipation of the larger society.”

Stating Achebe’s writings will stand the test of time, Tinubu said his books, essays and commentaries will stand as ringing indictments to all Nigerian and African leaders who fail to liberate their people from the shackles of want, poverty and oppression.

The former governor added: “Nigeria has a lot to offer not just the world but her citizens. Unfortunately, the best, the brightest and selfless amongst us are often shoved aside. Our loss has been the gain of other countries.”

He pointed out that while the world recognised and elevated Achebe for the brilliance of his writings and seminal interventions, the Nigerian government treated him like an irritant and one of the pesky activists.

Tinubu recalled how Achebe’s life and writings touched many and mentored several.